Things You Should Avoid When Moving House

When we’re moving house, there always seems to be an abundance of advice on what we should do to help the process move along as efficiently as possible. Information on moving checklists, how to pack and how to find a removal company is relatively easy to find, but no one tells us what we shouldn’t do – the ‘don’ts’ of moving house. Often, there’s so many ‘dos’ that we forget to avoid the pitfalls of house removals. Therefore, here are five things you should avoid.

1 – Don’t throw away notes
During the moving process, it’s likely that you’ll view plenty of properties, meet numerous new people and communicate with several companies. It’s therefore handy to make notes. As handy as a moving checklist can be, it’s also useful to keep a ring binder or folder full of information and notes on every aspect of the mood. Although it may seem excessive, you never know when you’ll need to return to or contact a company who you’ve previously stricken off the list. Therefore, don’t throw away any of the information you gather.

This also applies to notes on removal services or your chosen man with a van. Don’t throw away the information regarding moving day, or the company itself, as you’ll need this to check up on dates and times nearer the day.

2 - Don’t bring everything
Moving house is a great opportunity to sort through your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need. Many of us unconsciously hoard broken items, or items which we no longer even want. We’ll throw them in a cupboard and forget about them. However, now is the time to have a ‘spring clean’ and get rid of them.
Before you even begin packing, have an extensive tidy of the clutter in your house and either throw away, donate or sell anything you no longer want. This reduces the amount of ‘stuff’ you’re taking to your new home and may even mean you need a smaller removal van, saving you money.

3 – Don’t leave packing to the last minute
Packing as early in advance as possible is going to not only save you time later down the line, it’ll also save you a lot of hassle and stress. Usually, there are so many huge tasks, like organising the movers, that we will push back packing, shrugging it off as not that important, when in reality it’s one of the biggest tasks. Starting with your most underused items first and working your way to most used, like your clothes and toiletries, begin packing and even moving items across to your new house if you can, months before your ultimate moving day.

4 – Don’t settle for the first
Oftentimes, especially if it’s your first time moving, there’s a temptation to book, hire or purchase the first deal you find. However, this isn’t the best way to get the best deal for your money. This doesn’t just apply to the property you’re buying or renting, this also applies to other aspects of the move, such as a removal service. Shop around, gather quotes and negotiate with companies to get the best deal for your money.

5 – Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Moving house is stressful and sometimes, it can get a bit too much. Although many tasks, like calling companies and viewing the properties, will have to be carried out by you, don’t be too proud to ask friends and family for help with other simpler tasks, like packing. Offer to buy them a takeaway and a couple of drinks in return.